GroupNGC8

iTrader: (1)

I'm looking for a new car and have decided on the top 3 likely candidates

Anybody got real day to day experiences of the above?

My thoughts are
Focus = 2wd but most frugal - but never had a Focus
Evo - 4wd but most thirsty - but had an Evo 260
STI - gone soft ........ - but had a UK2000, P1 and STI Type RA

Budget 20-25k

I miss having a performance car, my ideal would be at Nissan GTR but company funds won't allow, any input on the above 3 would be appreciated.

Cheers
Rob

jameswrx

iTrader: (4)

RS, most frugal? I heard they were juicey?

Going with a friend to pick up his new Focus RS tomorrow, will be interested to see what all the fuss is about. I think some would say the focus has the best interior but for me it doesn't suit the car's exterior. It pretty much looks like a new mondeo ghia or something in there the steering wheel looks especially up market repmobile with it's chrome trim. Then you get the wild contrast of the seats to the rep dash and wheel.

There is only one answer to your quandry though, test drive them all and buy the best (for you)

SPIDERWRX

Budget 20-25k = Bmw 335i ;-)

GroupNGC8

iTrader: (1)

No.............. NO and NO
never been interested in BMW....

just the 3 above is my short list

cheers anyway

Razorwrx1

iTrader: (21)

Focus or Evo for me mate.

Focus for the Looks, Evo for the Performance!

Audi RS4 for Both

stucooper

iTrader: (4)

Just checking im on the right forum here id rather cut my nuts off before i drove anything but a scoob 25k get a mint sti for 15k and max it out and start worrying lambo drivers lol

stilover

Out of the 3, I'd go for the Focus RS.

If it was a `weekend toy` only, I'd go for the Evo.

All 3 are thirsty, but the Ford will hold it's value better. Plus the Evo & STI have a serious image problem these days.

drb5

iTrader: (4)

I like the RS a lot, but personally i get a couple year old STi and spend some wedge on it.

Love the look of the EVO, but the noise would annoy me. RS sounds feckin lush.

Matteeboy

Evo for me. Get a mint IX FQ360 MR and grin a lot!

P1Fanatic

Im mulling over a similar selection. I did consider a 335i but a bit too refined for me yet maybe in a few more years but want something a bit more lairy and in your face.

Was suprised to find that the RS MK2 is in the same tax bracket as my current Civic Type R (so is the 335i even more suprising as 3.0 TT). Front wheel drive 300bhp puts me off no matter what I hear about the revoknuckle. Guess I really need to pull my finger out and try and test drive one.

STi 330s I like but the engine failures are a worry. Evo is not even on my list as for me they went downhill looks wise after the 7. Some dont like the Impreza hatches but I think they look really good in the flesh and more practical than a saloon. Check the thread for 08/09 Hatches in the Members Gallery for some useful info on ownership.

Simon

drb5

iTrader: (4)

You'll be blown away by the grip of the RS fella.

It takes some getting used to, but it's limits are massive.

john banks

RS is an impressive machine, great noise, lots of grip as said, but I tested in the dry. Suspension tuning VERY good for a Scottish twisty road.

Evo X I've not tested, but apart from the anodyne engine note, few criticise it. The looks in the flesh are quite good, don't see an image problem with the X really. There have been some reliability issues.

335i is a good machine, don't let prejudice make you ignore it. Check out the cracking 19" wheels, and I think there is a fuel pump recall.

Used RS4 is also a great bet if you like manual/normally aspirated/AWD combo. Good noise, great chassis. Just check out the DRC situation and the clogged up inlet valves.

chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

Are you much fussed with depreciation or are you looking for something to keep for a few years? Is it a factor which would swing a decision

I'd personally go with the STi or the Evo. Never been a Ford fan.

craigyp

iTrader: (5)

My boss got the rs and had it mapped to 340 by ggr it goes like stink but in the wet it just can't put the power down!!! And he's also on his 3rd set of front Tyres

jonc

Megane 250 Cup?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MhgGwqfCrI

Neanderthal

iTrader: (6)

EVO X over the other two you've got on your short list.
Grown up performance car, not a Mazda 3 lookelike or a Focus which had a fight with Halfords stick on parts dept.

Frosticles

iTrader: (1)

Has to be the RS. Had one on loan from Ford when they first came out. Simply awesome in every way

scoobsy

iTrader: (3)

hawkeye sti spec c type ra or a litchfield

paulwrxboro

I will sell you mine for 20K cheap for a quick sale average 25 mpg, i have seen 35 mpg beleave it or not following my son over a 20 mile run, cheapish to tax aswell
mines running 338 bhp with a decat and filter with proof (still have originals) for any warenty if it ever needed it 13k miles had the first service next one not due till 24k
also has the 3m carbon roof

chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

Why you selling Paul? Especially since you bought new and would take the biggest depreciation hit

Jimpreza

Focus RS does torque steer even in the dry. Fact.

dunx

iTrader: (3)

What's torque steer ?



dunx

s70rjw

iTrader: (2)

Isn't there a new Focus? Normally previous shape plummets in value once the new shape comes out. Worth considering the value when you tire of it.

drb5

iTrader: (4)

So? Personnally i think it ADD's to the enjoyment....makes you WORK for your fun.

Jimpreza

Gets tiresome after a while though

fivetide

iTrader: (1)

I've seen 5 Evo X's on the road. One was at the side of the road with hazards on, the others were on tow trucks so I'm not liking the reliability.

The Scoob looks soft but track times would suggest pound for pound it can match the Evo. focus has a good following too and qould be very very tempting. I think it has to be between the scoob and the RS.

5t.

kennyc

iTrader: (1)

Id have this: https://www.scoobynet.com/private-fo...c-type-ra.html

Mr Wagon

Forget about torque steer, doesnt make the car undriveable.

I had a Saab 9-3 Viggen that had torque steer, all it meant was that if you really put your foot down in low gear the steering wheel would move slightly. Nothing to get excited about.

paulwrxboro

Selling due to being a bit poor at the moment, i dont mind taking a big hit realy, i paid top money for the car to be the first to have one (i can be a bit daft sometimes) and have loved every minate of it, i loved the RS from the very first pic someone posted of it on here.
I will probably get something cheap to run round in then in six months time buy something else i fancy

scoobsy

iTrader: (3)

indeed